Printing machine



Feb. 26, 1935. J. KRLL l PRINTING MACHINE Firled Jan. 6, `1934 fsheets-Sheet 1 Flljl Feb.2s,`1935. y J KRELL 1,992,870

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jn- 6,V 1954 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Flljl Feb. 26, 1935. 1 KRELL v 1,992,870

PRINTING MACHINE 'by 7M, W@ y Afivmeys Patented Feb.l 26, i935' PRINTING MAcmnE Joseph Krell, Berlin-Zehlendorf, Germany Application January 6,

1934, Serial No. 705,601

In Germany January 13, 1933 20 Claims.

My invention relates to printing machines, for instance, to machines for printing addresses, lists, forms, etc. l

More particularly, my' invention relates Vto 5 printing machines whiclmaxe equipped--with a rotary or turret-like printi'ng head and with a. plurality of printing platens on the head, for printing from printing plates. Y

In the operation of such a machine, the indirf vidual platens of the printing head are moved into printing position and locked in printing po' sition successively'and by automatic means con nected to the drive of the machine, and the print` ing plates are successively presented to the platens lat the printing station, also by automatic means connected toy the drive of the machine.

In -machines ofthe type described, it has already been proposed to provide means for rotat" ing the printing head, and for waking `it in the printing positions of its platens, in combination with mechanism for operating both the rotating and the locking means, and with a single member, such as 'a link, for connecting the mechanism to the means.

It is an object of my invention to'improve a machineof this type. i To this end,l I provvide separate members intermediate the mechanism and the means. One of the members is provided for operatively connect` 30 ing the mechanism to the head-rotating means, and ther other member isprovided for operatively .connecting the mechanism to the head-locking means, for releasing such means.v

A machine accordingto` my invention is lnor-` f `mally equipped vvith` a rocking printing arm; and

the aforesad mechanism is operated in time with the movement of the arm. The mechanism, iny

turn, operatesthe head-rotating, and releases the head-locking means.

40 the old machine referred to (and Adescribed in German Patent 430,625) but while in this ma` chine'a single member or link is provided for operating both means from the mechanism, i.- e.,

Irotating the head,`and releasing its locking means, kI provide separate members or links connectedv to the mechanism, one for operating the headhead-locking means;` y

Apparently; mynovel machine is complicate rotating means, and the other' for releasingv'the In so-far, it is similar to by the'extra member or link but this complication" is amply `made up for by the simplification `of quent failures, andv to undergo excessive wear. -In my novel machine, on the other hand, the -means, as will appear from the specification and drawings, are quite simple elements which are not only reliable in operation and not subjected 6 to excessivew wear, but are also manufactured without diiliculty, andthe initial cost of the machine is reduced in proportion.

Another drawback ofthe old machine which also results from its single member or link,l is 10 the "abrupt starting of its head-rotating means. The single link in the old machine, While releasy ing the locking means for theprinting head gradually, as required, cannot start the means for rotating the head as gradually because, being 16 called upon to perform the two functions, the link, after releasing the head, acquires a" certain velocity at which, itstarts the rotation of the head. This velocity is comparatively high and so the printing head starts for its rotation 20 with a' jerk. This is undesirable 'notonly because the operation of the machine, becomes noisy, but also because the momentum of the abruptly moving head still further increases the-already excessivehwear of the parts.

Y' By providing thefextra member Yor link according to my invention,I also eliminate this drawback of the oldl machine, as the mechanism which is operatively connected tothe two means by the individual membersor links, canl be so designed 30.

that both `means are started gradually as the velocity oi.4 every link atthe start may be cletermined asrequired. There is no difflcultywhat -everabout starting the head-rotating means at the same, or substantially the same, low velocity 36 as the velocity' at which the head is released.

The mechanism and the members or links con#V necting it to the individual means, are so designed p that, as the printing arm moves upwards into its linactive cr non-printlngposition, one of the 40 `members or links releases the printinghead and `thereupohthe other member oilink turns the Y released head for moving another platen into printing position. The head is locked in this f It is another object of my invention to provide means for effectinga still more gradual start of the head-rotating meansv than is already effected by -thegradually moving link ormernben To this end, I interpose cushioningvmeans such as 'a block cfrubheror the-like; between .ser

. bosseson the platens 16', and 17'. The plat-l y scribed.

rotating means and the corresponding member or link.

' 'It is still another object of'my invention to provide means for preventing overthrowing of the printing head under all conditions. To this end, I provide a b'rake, for instance, a friction brake, which tends to counteract the'rotation of the head.

In the accompanying drawings, a machine embodying my invention is illustrated by way of example.

In the drawings Fig. lis a plan view showing the printing arm and a portion of the table of the machine,

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional end elevation viewed in the direction of arrow l1 in Fig. *1,

' Fig. 3 is a section on the -line III-HI in Fig and in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1, but showing the parts in another position.

' Referring now to the drawings, the machine illustrated by. way jof .example is an addressprinting machine, with a table 1, a hopper 2 for the reception of a supply of printing plates 3, and a track or guideway 4 in the table 1 for the printing plates 3 to` move in toward the printing station 5. 'I'hat printing plate 3 which is lowermost in the pile of plates in the hopper 2, is engaged at 7 and equipped with a tail portion 6 which extends `downwards through a hole -in the table" and is connected to a link 8 to which reciprocation is imparted trom. a suitable drive. The drive, likethe printing-plate feeding means, is old in the art and will not be shown and described.

t the side`of the printing arm 6 which facesthe printing station, the arm is equipped witha pair of lugs 9 and 99 which are spaced apart'for the reception of the printing head 12, as vwill be described. At the opposite side ofthe printing arm 6, it is equipped with two more lugs 10 and 11 which supporta part .ofthe mechanism by which-the means for `rotating and locking the printing head' 12 are operated/as will also be .de-

Referiing now to has a 'tubular bosswith which it is free to rotate about ar ilxed pin 22 in the lugs "9 and 99. In the present instance, thej printing head 12 is equipped with three platens and Vwith three radial hollow arms, 'one of which is shown in 'axial sec- ,tion at 14'in Fig. .3, for supporting the platens.

At its free end, every arm 14 supports a plate 13' which is preferably integral with the arm, and

is equipped with four screws 18. The threaded Outer ends of the/screws18`engagev in threaded ens are equipped with pads v15, 16, and 17, respectively, of rubber or other suitable material, andV the pads may be subdivided, as shown for the Kpad 15 in Fig.' 1 Vwhich consists of three individual printing head 12. The arms 14 have internal Fig. 4 is `an elevation like Fig. 2 and also viewed v `pinion 27 and has a tail portion '32 whichextends Fig. 3, the printing head 12.'.

and a block' 43vwhichis keYedfOn the shaft 39.`

threads 'in which `engage male threads on pins 19. The pins 19 are equipped with knurled handles 20 for turning them and their outer ends are equipped with a socket for the reception oi a ball 21. A corresponding socket is formed in the inner face of the platen, as shown for the platen 15' in Fig. 3.

This figure shows the inner final position of the platen 15'.' When it is desired to move the platen further away from the axis of the printing 1 head, the screws 18 are unscrewed and the pin 19 is turned by its knurled handle 20. The thrust of the threaded pin,19 is transmitted to the from the axis of he printing head 12. When 1 the platen has been moved into the desired position by the-means described, the screws I18 are set so as to force the socket in thefpiaten 15 against the ball 21. Obviously, for shortening the distance of a platen from the axis of the printing head, the pin 19 is turned in the opposite direction.v

As mentioned, the printing head 12, with its three internally threaded arms 14, its three plates 13, and its three platens 15', 16 and 17', each 2 having its pad 15, 16, and 17, respectively, is mounted to rotate freely on the fixed pin 22 in the lugs 9 and 99. Secured on that end of the boss of the printing head 12 which is at the right 'in- Fig. 3, is an indexing disk 23, with three notches 3 24, 25, and 26, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. A pinion 27 is mounted to turn freely o'n the pin 22, its -boss beingheld against axial displacement by Athe disk 23 at one end, and bythe lug 99 at the other. This pinion has teeth only on a portiorf 3 of its perimeter and its untoothed portion is formed as a lever 28, with a pawl 29 fulcrumed. `on its free or,outer end. A spring 29', Fig. 1. tends to hold the pawl engaged with the perimeter of disk 23 and causes the pawl to drop into notches 24, 25`and 26 if it registers with one of them, as' shown for the notch 26A in Fig. 2. A sector 30 is mounted to oscillate about a pin 31 in the lug 99, Fig. 1; The sector meshes with the teeth of beyond the.pin 31 and, in a suitable recess, re-

-ceives a cushion 33, for instance, a block of. rubber. v

The sector 30, the pinion 27 and the parts operatively connectedto the pinion, serve for rotating or indexing the printing head-12. The means for operating the sector 30 will now be described. A fork 34, with a pair of lugs 34 and 34" at -opposite sides of the tail portion 32, is free to,

turn about the pin 31 about which the sector 30 oscillates. The lowerlug 342015 the fork 34 engages below the lug or tail portion 32, and-the upper lug34" h as an adjustable scew 35fwhich bears on the cushion 33. 36 is" the member or linkkby which the fork 34 isJconnected tothe mechanism for operating botlr the head-rotating and head-'locking means on the printing arm 6. The link 36 which has the form of a flat horse sh'oe in .order to avoid interference with the printing 'arm 6 in certain positions, see Fig. 4, is pivoted to4 the fork34 at one end, and to a crank pin 37 in a crank disk t crank pins 37'and 57 arenot diametrically op-l neeasvo A pin 44 is mounted to slide in a bore -of the block'y 43 andequipped with a transverse pin 45 which slides in a slot of the` block 43. lThe clutching pin is equipped with a knurled head 44' for shifting and turning it. In the positionA illustrated in Fig. 1, the pin connects the two clutching members 42 and 43 and its final position is defined by the transverse pin 45 which' bears against the inner end of the slot. `When the `pin44 is retracted the pinion 40 is free to turn on the shaft 39. In the retracted position of the pin, its transverse pin 45 engages in a recess 47 in the face of the block; In this-man` ner, the two iinal positions Vof the pin 44 are dened by the transverse pin 45. When the pin 44 connects the clutching members 42 and 43. rotation of the pinion 40 is transmitted-to the shaft 39. A sector 48-which is free to turn about a pin 49 .in the lug 10, meshes with the pinion 40. The sector has a tail portion 50 which through a link 51, is connected to a bellcrank 52. This bellcrank is fulcrurned on the tail portion 6 of the printing arm 6 at 54 and its shorter arm 53A is anchored withrespect to a bracket 56 below the table 1 by a link 55.v It will be understood that, as the printing arm 6 performs its rocking movement about 7 under the action of the link 8, the pivot 54 of the'bell'crank 52 describes an arc about 7` and, as the shorter arm 53 ofthe bellcrank is-anchored in the manner described, the link 51 is reciprocated and the sector 48 turned about its pin 49.

The disk 38, ywith the parts connected to it.

makes up the mechanism referred to. The means for locking the. printing head-and its connection with the' mechanism will now be del-- scribed. A bellcrank with a longer arm 59 and a shorter-arm 60 is mounted to turn freely on 36, has the form of a at horse shoe. The two posite on the disk 38, for a purpose to be presently described.

A dog 61 is fulcrumed on the shorter arm 60l i.' the bellcrank atv 60', as best seen in Fig. 4.

The. dog is a double-armed lever whose arm 61V is connected to a spring 62. The other end of the spring 62 isattached to aneye 59 on the bellcrank. The spring tends to pull the arm 61l toward the eye 59! and to move the dog 61 outward. The outward movementof the dog under the action of the spring 62 is limited by a suitable 4check,not shown.

The dog 61 cooperates with a lockingpawl 6 4 which is-mounted toturn on the pin 31, like the sector 30, and adapted to engage inthe notches 24, 25 and 26 with its free end.v Fig. -2 shows the locking pawl engaging in the notch 24. 63 is a roller on 'the pawl 64 for cooperation with the dog 61. Theloc pawl is also a double-armed lever and a spring -65 is connected to its shorter arm 64' with one end, the other end of the spring being anchored on theprinting arm 6.

In the manner described, -the meizh'anisln,V

' the disk 38 etc; isconn'ected to the head-rotating means, the sector 30 etc., by the member or linkV 36, and to the head-locking means, the pawl 64, by the member 58. The operation of the, machine willbe described below. 4

'I'he "cushioning means referred to in the introduction is the rubber block 33'in .they tail por'- tion '32 of the sector l 30., j

' The means for preventing overthrowing 01E4 the printing head" which has also been referred to in the introduction, will now be described with refe-rence to Fig. 3. The means is a friction brake whose casingis keyed onthe boss or the printing head 12. The outer end wall of the t casing is a plate 67 which is held against rotation .on the lug 9 but is mounted 'to slide on the boss of the printing head. A thin iron plate 68 is secured in the outer wall or barrel of casing 66, and a similar plate 69 is secured on the boss of end 'plate 67. Three plates 70 of felt or other suitable material are' inserted' between the iron plates, the casing 66 and the -endplate 67, and the friction members are compressed by a spring, or preferably several springs, 71, acting on the f end plate. 'Ihe pressure. of the spring, or springs,

there are platens on the printing head 12; in

the present instance, during three operations.f

Assumethat the rst .printfrom a printing plate 3 at 'the-printing station 5 is made bythe platen 15 with its divided pad 15. AThe print is madev on an enve1ope, a sheet, a form, or the like, by means of 'a ribbon,` not shown, by which the type on the printing plate/is reproduced on ,the sheet or the like under the pressure of the platen. Fig. 2 shows this position of the parts. 'I'he printing head is locked in printing position for the platen 15' by the pawl 64 which engages in the notch 24 ofthe indexing disk 23, and the pawl 29 on the lever 28 engages in the notch 26, ready' for rotating the printing head vafter the pawl 64 has been thrown out. f

When the first print has been nade, the print-Y Aing arm 6 is moved upwards `from the position in Fig. 2 and intoits inactive position in Fig. 4 by the drive of the machine, not shown, and the link 8. During the upward movement; of the printingarm, the sector 48 of th'e mechanism" is turned about its pin 49 in clockwise d`rection from the position in Fig. 2, by the link 5,1 and the means i connected to such link. When the sector starts ifor its'movement from the position in Fig.2, it

lrotates the pinion and, iL the clutch 42, '43 is thrown in, the shaft 39 andthe crank disk 38 are rotated in the direction oiarr'ow 80, i. e., anti-f clockwise.

As soon as theerank disk ssbegins ,to rotate,

.it moves the link 58 in the direction of the arrow 81, Fig. 2, and turns thebellcrank 59, 60. As,

howe'ven'the crankpln 57 on the disk 38 is in its deadlcentre position `with respect to the link 58,

the link movesA very Islowly at first and the dog 61 whose operative connection to the b ellcrank 5 9, 60 has been described, and which inv Fig. v2 isv ready for engaging the roller `63 on the pawl 64, lifts thepawl from its notch 24 quite gradually and withouta jerk. lAll the same, as the velocity of trie link 5e in the direction of` arrow a1 stead'- -ily increases, the printing head 12 is released soon alter the printing arm ward movement. 1 l

' Obviously, the -crankpin 37, being=on the same crank disk 38 ,as crank pin 57, begins to move as e has started'for its upi scc-n as tne disk is rotated. But it will be remembered `that the two crank pinslare not pitched at `180` degs. to each other, and it will appear from Fig. 2 that the crank pin 37 lags in the direction" of arrow 80. Therefore, at rst the crank pin the crank pin 37 is so determined that the pawl.`

64 releases the printing head as soon as the crank pin 37 has moved beyond a position 'which c orresponds to its dead-centre position with respect to link 36. "Upon further'rotation of'the crank disk 38, the link 36 moves in the direction of arrow 75, Fig. 2. Themovement of the link is slow at rst, for the reasons stated with reference to the crank pin 57 and the link 58, and the ork 3ft is turned slowly in clockwise direction. Itslug 34, through the screw35 and the rubber block 33, turns the sector 30 also in clockwise direction while the pinion 27 and its lever 28 are turned anti-clockwise, arrow 76, and in the same direction-as the long arm 59 of the bellcrank by which the pawl 6e had previously been released, arrow 74. Abrupt operation of `the sector 30 is prevented not only by the gradual start but also by the damping action of the rubber block 33.

.Turning of the lever 23 inthe direction of arrow 76 and against arrow 73 causes the pawl f29 to retrieve the backward movement it had undergone during the initial stages of the movement of crank pin 37 until it engages the notch (26 in liig. 2) and the indexing plate 23 and the printing head are rotated lin the direction of arrow 74, slowly at ilrst, until finally, when the printingv arm is in-its inactive position, lFig. d, the platen 16 has moved intofprinting position.

It will be understood 'that by the means described the locking pawl 64 is retracted slowly and without jerking before the lever 28 is operated for turning the indexing disk 23. The operation ofthe indexing disk is delayed by the backward movement of the lever 28, and the disk and printing headare only started after this backward movement has been retrieved, and then quite slowly. A single member, Vas yin the old machine t referred to, performs the releasing operation as,

gradually as required but as it also performs the vrotation of thev printing head, its veloity is too high. The printing headis started with a jerk,

with the undesirable consequences set out above.

By providing the two members 36l and 58 which are, comparatively speaking, independent, the releasing and rotating operations 'are performed under the conditions required.

The operation becomes still more gradual by the damping means (rubber block 331) and the brake 6670. i l

When the inactive position in Fig. 4 has been attained, :he notch 25 is in une with the pawl 64 and the pawl is thrown in by its spring y65, locking the printing.- head in the position ,corresponding tothe operation Vof platen 16. l l Upon the subsequent downward movement of V the` printing arm 6, the parts return 'into the positions shown in Fig. 2, except for the fact that the platen 16' is now` in printing position. -By

the means described, the sector 43 is turned anticlockwise and the crank disk 38 is rotated clockwise, arrow 77. This rotation of the crank disk 3d causes the link 36 to return in the direction of the arrow 78,and the link 5S to return in the direction of arrow 79, toward the positions in Fig. 2. The link 36 turns the sector 30 in anti-clockwise direction, through the medium of fork 3d, and the sector, through pinion 27, moves the lever 28 and the pawl 29 in clockwise direction until the pawl engages in the notch 2d of indexing plate 23. The link 58 moves in the direction of arrow 79 and, in so doing, turns the longer arm l59 of the bell crank in clockwise direction. The

dog 6l now moves past the roller 63 on the pawl de mitted by the spring 62.

When the second print is made from the printing plate '3 at the printing stationV 5, the parts are inthe same positions as in Fig. 2, but the operation of'printing is now performed by the platen 16', the pay/l 64 is in the notch 25 and the pawl 29 without iniluencing the pawl, this being peris in the notch 24, of the indexing disk 23. When the printing operation has been performed by the platen 16', the printing arrnis raised again, the third platen 17 is moved into printing position, I and the'third print is made. i

When the three prints have been made from a given plate 3 at the printing station, a. fresh printing plate is presented atthe printing station 5, and upon the upward movement of the printing arm subsequent upon the printing with the third platen 17' fthe printing head 12 is rotated in the direction of arrow 74, Fig. 2, to present the first platen 15 to the printing plate which is at the station 5. Obviously, all parts including the platens l5', 16', and 17 are now again in the positions shown in Fig. 2.

If the clutch 42, 43 is thrown out by retracting the pin 44, the mechanisrn is inactive, the

.printing head l2 remains locked by the pawl 64 said printing head, means forilocking lsaid printing head against rotation in as many positions as there are platens'on -the head, mechanism operatively connected to said armfor operating said head-rotating means and for releasing said headlocking means, a member operatively connecting said mechanism to said head-rotating meanaand another-member operativelyconnecting said' mechanism to said head-locking means.

2In a printing machine, a printing arm, a printing head mounted to rotate on said arm, printing platens on said head, means for rotating said printing head, means for locking said printinghead against rotation in as'inany posi-- tions Vas there are platens on the head, mecham'sm operatively connected to said arm foroperating said head-rotating means and for reand the platens are not alternately moved into leasing said head-locking means. a member opl eratively connecting said mechanism tosaid headrotating means,',and another member operatively connecting said mechanism to said head-locking means; saidtmechanism being so designed as to start Agradually the two means to which it is 3. In a printing machine, a printing arm, a printing head mounted to rotate on said arm, printing platens on said head, means for rotating said printing head, means for locking said printing head against rotation in as many positions as there are platens on lthe head, mechanism operatively connected to said armfor operating said head-rotating means and for releasing said headlocking means, a member operatively connecting said mechanism to said head-rotating means, and another member operatively connecting said mechanism to saidl head-locking means; said mechanism being so designed as to first operate the member which is connected to the head-` locking means, and thereupon the .other member.

1i. In a printing machine, a printing arm,\.a printing head mounted to rotate on said arm, printing platens on said head, means for rotating said printing head, means for locking said printing head against rotation in as many positions as there are platens onthe head, a rotary part, mechanism operatively connected to said arm for intermittently rotating said rotary part,a member operatively connecting said part to said head-locking means, and another member connectingsaid rotary part to -said head-rotating means, said last-mentioned member being connected to said part so as to lag with respect to the rst-mentioned member.

-5. In a` printing machine, a printing arm, a printing head mounted to rotate on said arm, printing platens on said head, means for rotating said printing head, means for locking said printing head against rotation in as many positions as there are platens on the head, mechanism operatively connected to said arm for operating said head-rotating means and for releasing said head-locking means, 'a member operatively connecting said mechanism to said head-rotating means, cushioning means intermediate said member andv said means, and another member operatively connecting vsaid mechanism -to said headlocking means.

. 6. In a printing machine, a printing arm', a printing head mounted to rotate on said arm, printing platens on said head, means for rotating said printing head, means for preventing overthrowing of said printing head, means for locking said printing head against rotation in as many positions as there are platens on the head,

mechansm operatively connected to said arm foring said printing head, means for locking. said printing head against rotationin as many positons as there are platens on the head, lautomatic means for throwing in said head-locking means,

mechanism operatively connected to said arm for operating said'head-rotating means 'and' for throwing out said head-locking means, a member operatively connecting saidmechanism to .-.said head-rotating means, and another member operatively connecting said mechanism tosaid head-locking means. I ,y l

., 8. In a` printing machine, a printing arm, a

pin on saidiarm, a rotary printing head comprisl "ing a tubular boss mounted to rotate on said pin,

'arms oir said'boss, -a plateon every arm, and a' ing head, means for locking said print i:

platen connected to said arm and said plate; means for rotating said printing head, means for locking said printing head against rotation in as many positions as there are platens on the head, mechanism operatively connected to said arm for operating said head-rotating means and for releasing said head-locking means, a member oper atively connecting said mechanism to said headrotating means, and another member operatively connecting said mechanism to said head-locking means.

9. In a printing machine,l a printing arm, a pin on said arm, a rotary printing head comprising 'a tubula'r boss mounted to rotate on said pin,

arms on said boss, a plateon every arm, a platen connected to said arm and said plate, and means for adjusting said Vplaten with respect to said plate; means for rotating said printing head, means for 'locking said printing head against rotation in as many positions as there are platens on the head, mechanism operatively connected to said arm for operatingy said head-rotating means and' for releasing said head-locking means, a member operatively connecting said mechanism to said head-rotating means, and another mem-V ber operatively connecting said mechanism to said head-locking means.

10. In a printing machine, a printing arm, a

pin on said arm, a rotary printinghead comprising a tubular boss mounted to rotate ori-said pin, arms on said boss, a plate on every arm. a platen, means for securing said platen to said plate, a threaded member in every plate, means for rotating said threaded member, and a ball inserted between'said threaded member and said platen; means for rotating said printing head, means for locking said printing `head against rota.- tion in as many positions as there are platens on the head, mechanism operatively connected to vsaid arm for operating said head-rotating means and for releasing said head-locking means, a member operatively connecting said mechanism to said head-rotating means, and lanother member operatively connecting said mechanism to said .head-lockinggmeans. i

11. In a printing machine, a printing arm, a

rotary printingl head on said arm, friction' means secured partly to said arm and partlyto said head and arranged in interengaging relation,

platens on said head, a fork mounted to oscillate on said arm about an axis which is parallel vto the-axis' said head rotates about, a'sector opera-v tively connected to said fork, apinion meshing with said sector, a pavvl mechanism operatively connected tozsaid pinion for rotating sai against rotation in aSmany positions ,are platens on the head, driving mec m l adapted toxnove in time with said printingarm `a member operatively connecting said driving mechanism to said fork, and another member,vv

operatively connecting said driving mechanism to said head-locking. means.

13. In a printing machine, a movable printing arm, a rotary printing head on-said arm, printing platens on said head, a fork mounted to oscilllate on said arm about an axis which is parallel to the axis said head rotates about, a pair oi lugs on said fork, a sectormounted to oscillate on said.

arm about an axis which is also parallel to the axis of said head; a tail on said sector, cushioning means interposed between said tail and one of said lugs, a pinion meshing with said sector, a pawl mechanism operatively connected to said pinion for rotating said printing head, means for locking said printing head against rotationy in as many positions as there are platens on the head, driving mechanism adapted to move in time with said printing arm, a member operatively connecting said driving mechanism to said fork, and

another member operatively connecting said driving mechanism to said head-locking means.

` 14. In a printing machine, a rotary printing head, printing platens on said head, a pawl mechanism for rotating said printing head, apawl for locking said printing head against rotation,

an indexing disk on said'printing head, with as y many notches as there are platens on the head, :for said pawl mechanism and said pawl toiengage in, mechanism for operating said pawltmechanism and for releasing said pawl from said indexing disk, a member operatively connecting tioned link, and is connected to said-head-rotat-- ing means' at the other end; said links being so arranged with respect to the correspondingradii of said disk that they start slowly from their initial positions upon rotation of said disk.

16. In a printing machine, a rotary printing head, printing platens on said head, means for rotating said printing uhead, means for locking said printing head against rotation in as many positions as there Iare platens on-the head, a bellcrank mounted to oscillateabout the axis .said printinghead rotates about, a dog on said bellcrank, a.spring for holding. said doglin such a position as to engage the head-locking means in one direction for releasing them, and not to' Y engage them in the opposite direction, a driving a member operatively connecting arm, a rotary printing head on said arm, 'printing' platens on said head, means for rotating said printing head, means for locking said printing head against rotation in as .many positions asV there are platens on the head, a crank disk on said printing arm, a link operatively connecting said crank disk to said head-rotating means, an-

other link connecting said crank disk to said L head-locking means, a pinion on said printing y arm, a clutch. for connecting said pinion to said 4crank disk, a sector mounted to oscillate on said printing arm and to mesh with said pinion, and means adapted to move in time with the movement of said printing arm for operating said sector.

18. In a printing machine, head, printing platens on saidhead, means for rotatingsaid printingv head, means for locking said printing head against rotation in as many positions as there are platens on the head, mechanismcfor operating said head-rotating means and for releasing ,isaid head-locking means,v a member operatively connecting said mechanism to said head-rotating means, and another member operatively connecting said mechanism to saidliead-locking means; said mechanism being so designed as to startgraduallyI the two means to which it is connected.

19. vIn a printing machine, a rotaryvpiinting head, 'printing platens on said head, means for rotating vsaid printing head, means for locking said printing head against rotation in as many .positions as there are platens on ,the head, mechanism for operating said head-rotating means land for releasing said head-locking means, a

.member operatively connecting said mechanism 20. In a printing machine, a rotary printingA head, printing platens on said head, means for rotating said printing head, means for locking tary part to said'head-rotating means, said last-,.

mentioned member being connected to said part so as to lag withrespect to the iirst-mentioned member.

JOSEPH K RELL.

a rotary printing 

